In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day this Friday, here’s an unpublished photo poem from my collection of works inspired by images from The Guardian’s Photo of the Day posts that I wrote back in 2019. Though these Irish setters aren’t fooling around on what was the first day of the Crufts dog show, I found myself teased into a comparison between dog and man. Note the simultaneous playfulness and formality of the poem’s structure, meter, and rhyme, and how that fits not only these three dogs but our own lives as well. Whether you are swift, graceful, or playful, there is a poise we can all share when we know the Master’s voice!
Three Irish Setters
by Vincent H. Anastasi 2019 Three Irish Setters Regal, how they stand! Each one ready to perform Awaiting the command. One known for swiftness One known for grace One for the playfulness Displayed in his face. Family friend of children, Sweet-tempered, chestnut red, Sometimes I wish that I could spend Eight hours in his head. I’m not known for swiftness And grace at times I lack And playful though I often am Sometimes I will attack. Three Irish Setters And I an aging man Yet each of us has heard His voice And knows the Master’s hand.
the deepening ground 